Johnson “very limited” in practice, Haden’s OK with that

The Lions had a welcome sight when they took the practice field this morning, but the guy who would be covering him Sunday would probably be OK if Calvin Johnson took another week off.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Johnson was present for the start of practice, with a brace on his right knee, but was “very limited.”

Johnson missed last week’s game, and the Lions are sticking with the “game-time decision” label for now.

Browns cornerback Joe Haden will take whatever help he can get, admitting he’s fine if the All-Pro wideout takes the time necessary to heal properly.

“The team and the Browns fans might not want him out there, and I might not want him out there, too,” Haden said, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. “But if he plays, it’s always good to go against the best. But if he doesn’t, it’s a big help and a big knock for the [Lions’] offense.”

Haden has never faced Johnson, but said he thought he was the best receiver in the league. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound cornerback would be dwarfed by the 6-5, 236-pound Johnson, and said his availability changes the face of the Lions offense.

“I want to be one of those corners that can be able to go up against the Calvins, go up against the A.J.s, and not be [asked], ‘Oh Joe, why are you so worried about him?’ [I’d rather people say], ‘Calvin, you have to go against Joe this week.’ Maybe one of these days it’s going to be like that, but I’ll just go and grind and make sure I play one of my best games.”

If Johnson is able to make it, he’ll have to be at his best, and then some.